- A group in Akwa Ibom has described the accusations against INEC in the state by the APC as baseless and misleading

- The Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement (AILM) said the due process was followed by INEC throughout the electoral exercise

- The state chairman of the APC, Mr. Ini Okopido, had accused the electoral commission of falsifying the outcome of the polls

A group, Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement (AILM) has described the accusations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as baseless and misleading.

The AILM said contrary to the APC's stance, due process was followed by INEC throughout the electoral exercise.

The state chairman of the APC, Mr. Ini Okopido, had on Monday, March 11, accused the electoral commission of falsifying the outcome of the polls.

He continued: “Such a smooth and straightforward procedure under the watchful eyes of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Mike Igini, was what the APC never expected hence their expression of frustration against INEC.”

Sam averred that, “if APC chieftains were to pause for a while and engage in soul searching, they would come to terms with the fact that there is no need to point accusing finger at either INEC or PDP because the reality is that during the election Akwa Ibom people undertook a referendum to reward a party that has brought about life transforming development since 1999 and to consolidate on a sustained peace which Governor Udom Emmanuel has brought to the polity.”

“It is worthy of note that the massive support for the governor's reelection was across party affiliation, including even members of the main opposition.

“So, rather than sounding like a broken record, we urge the state chairman of APC, Mr. Ini Okopido, to gather evidences of electoral malpractices his party claims to have and approach the election tribunal to seek redress,” Prince Sam stated.

The group alleged that the APC attempted to use the entire security apparatus of federal government to wrest power from the people.

Prince Sam said: “Evidently, all through the campaigns of the APC , its leaders boasted of their plan to use 'federal might' to take power by force.

“On election days namely, February 23 and March 9, these threats manifested in parts of the state including Essien Udim, Ikot Ekpene, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Ibiono Ibom, Itu and others.

“Known APC stalwarts went about with armed men dressed in security uniforms to cause mayhem, disrupt the electoral process in some polling units and cause other forms of malpractice.

“As if that was not enough, the APC imported armed thugs from Edo and other neighbouring states into Akwa Ibom during the period to create an atmosphere of insecurity perhaps to cause a cancellation of the entire exercise.”

He however lauded Akwa Ibom people for going to God in prayers and engaging a high sense of patriotism to take a stand and vote against the aggressor.

“Communities from all ethnic nationalities within the geopolitical area reconnected with each other, uniting with a common objective to stop the attempt to return us back to those dark days of insecurity, impunity and divisive politics,” he added.

The AILM had earlier congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel on his re-election as governor of the state, describing the victory of the governor as a triumph of people's will against tyranny.

Speaking in Uyo after the announcement of the result, Prince Sam recalled how the long road to liberation has been fraught with many challenges, even as he charged the governor to reciprocate the people's gesture with more life-touching projects.